The quickest way to change your username

Open Spotify on your phone and tap your profile icon in the bottom right corner. Tap "Profile," then tap the pencil icon next to your username. Type your new username — it must be between 3 and 30 characters, use only letters, numbers, underscores, and hyphens, and cannot be taken by another user. Tap the checkmark or "Done" button to save. The change takes effect when ready.

Your new username appears on your profile, in playlists you share, and anywhere else your profile shows up. People who follow you will still see your account — changing your username does not affect your followers, saved music, or listening history.

Key Takeaways

  • You change your username through your profile settings in the Spotify app, using the pencil icon next to your current name.
  • Usernames must be 3 to 30 characters long and can only contain letters, numbers, underscores, and hyphens.
  • The new username takes effect right away and is visible to anyone who views your profile.
  • Changing your username does not affect your followers, playlists, saved songs, or login credentials.

What happens if your chosen username is already taken

Spotify will tell you when ready if the username you typed is not available. The app shows a message saying the name is taken. You must choose a different one before you can save the change.

If you want a specific name that is taken, you have no way to request it or get on a waitlist. Try variations: add numbers at the end, use underscores between words, or shorten the name. For example, if "jane.music" is taken, you might try "jane_music" or "janemusic2024".

Usernames versus display names

Spotify has two separate name fields. Your username is what you change in your profile settings — it is permanent, unique to you, and appears in your profile URL. Your display name is what shows up next to your activity, like when you share a playlist or add a song to a public list.

You can change your display name separately through the same profile settings. The display name can be anything and does not have to be unique, so multiple people can have the same display name. Most people use their display name for a real name or nickname and keep their username more formal or anonymous.

If you cannot find the profile settings on your phone

Make sure you are looking at your own profile, not someone else's. Tap your profile icon in the bottom right corner — this is always your own profile. If you tap someone else's name or profile picture in a playlist or message, you are viewing their profile and cannot edit it.

On some phones, the pencil icon may be small or positioned differently depending on your phone's screen size. Scroll down on your profile page if you do not see it when ready below your username. If the pencil icon is not there at all, you may be logged in as a guest account or a child account, which cannot change usernames.

Why you might want to change your username

People change their Spotify username for privacy, to match a new social media handle, or because they chose something they no longer like. Since your username appears in your profile URL and on any public playlists you share, changing it can help you control how you appear to other users.

Keep in mind that changing your username does not change your email address or password — those stay the same. You log in with your email and password, not your username. If you share your profile link with friends, the old link will not work after you change your username, so you may need to send them the new link.

Changing your username on desktop versus phone

The process is nearly identical on desktop and phone. On a computer, you go to your profile, click the pencil icon, type your new username, and save. On your phone, you tap instead of click, but the steps are the same. If you change your username on one device, it updates everywhere — you do not need to change it again on your phone or computer.

Some people find it easier to change their username on a computer because the screen is larger and the pencil icon is easier to spot. If you are having trouble on your phone, you can always use a web browser on your phone or switch to a computer to make the change.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username back to what it was before?

Not automatically. Once you change your username, the old one goes back into the pool of available names. If you want to use your old username again, you would need to wait for someone else to claim it, then for them to change it, which is not practical. Choose carefully before you save.

Does changing my username affect my Spotify password or login email?

No. Your username and your login credentials are separate. You still log in with your email address and password. Changing your username does not change either of those, and you do not need to update your login information.

Will my followers see my new username right away?

Yes. Your followers will see your new username when ready on your profile and in any activity you share. They do not need to do anything — they are still following you, and the change is automatic.

What if I see an error message when I try to save my new username?

The most common error is that the username is already taken. Try a different name. If you see a different error, try closing the Spotify app completely and opening it again. If the problem continues, check that you have the latest version of Spotify installed from your phone's app store.

Can I use spaces or special characters in my username?

No. Usernames can only contain letters (a–z, A–Z), numbers (0–9), underscores (_), and hyphens (-). Spaces, periods, and other symbols are not allowed. If you want to separate words, use an underscore or hyphen instead.